Rookie driver Jimmy Shane was declared the winner of San Diego Bayfair hydroplane boat races at Mission Bay on Sept. 16 after the apparent winner Steve David was penalized for what race officials called “a flagrant fuel violation.”

The victory is the second of the year for the rookie, who won his first race in Tri-Cities, Wash. David led the race wire-to-wire and fans left Mission Bay believing that David had won his second Bayfair race. But after a technical inspection, the Oh Boy! Oberto boat was penalized and the win was declared for Shane, who had just finished second in the Graham Trucking boat.

Dave Villwock, who had won the past two Bayfair titles, earned third place.

Over at the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series races, the Top Fuel Hydro winner was “Speed Sport Special,” piloted by Jarret Silvey. Meanwhile, Joel Weber was crowned the Top Alcohol Fuel champ in the What a Tomato Too boat. The Top Alcohol Flatbottom winner was Don Bausher.

Thanks to warm weather on Mission Bay and a great racing weekend, San Diego Bayfair experienced a sharp increase in attendance in 2012, according to Bayfair officials. Although final figures have not been determined, attendance is expected to top 100,000 spectators for the three-day event.

“There was great support from the race fans for the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series and the Lucas Oil Drag Boats,” said Jeff Thomas, president of San Diego Bayfair’s board of directors. “They got to see an incredible weekend of racing.”

For more information about San Diego Bayfair, visit www.sandiegobayfair.org.

Bayfair on Mission Bay crowns new race champions
Rookie driver Jimmy Shane was declared the winner of San Diego Bayfair hydroplane boat races at Mission Bay on Sept. 16 after the apparent winner Steve David was penalized for what race officials c...